Joe Rossini came all the way out from Knoxville, Tenn. for this. The martial arts expert relocated his family after his wife decided she wanted to attend graduate school in Washington. Rossini brings with him a wealth of knowledge in various martial arts, including his specialties: judo and Brazilian jujitsu.
Rossini grew up in Memphis, Tenn. before meeting Landon Showalter, the head teacher of the Arlington Kickboxing Academy while aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, stationed in Everett. Showalter and Rossini trained together during their time in the Navy before Rossini returned to Knoxville to finish school. He competed nationally in various martial arts tournaments, including the collegiate judo championships in Miami, Fla., where he placed fourth in the 81-kilogram division.
I was in there for the bronze medal match, said Rossini, but I had already completed seven matches that day and was exhausted.
With Showalter already teaching kickboxing and pankration, a Greek style of martial arts that incorporates boxing, kickboxing and submission wrestling, Rossini found a new home for his skills in Arlington.
Ive been teaching here since 2004, said Showalter. Im excited to have Joe because hes bringing a lot of aspects of fighting that I didnt have. For anybody that wants to compete in mixed martial arts fighting they can incorporate these skills to make them more well-rounded.
Rossini purchased his present location in 2004, renovating a former meat locker into a working gymnasium. Hes recently upgraded the facility with a new weight room, new showers and a new mat.
We tried to tighten it up, said Showalter, to make it nicer for the students. Bringing Joe on allows us to expand the teaching as well. I teach more rugged cage fighting while hes more of a traditional martial artist. Hell work with throwing and grappling as opposed to striking.
Classes officially began Jan. 8 and enrollment will be ongoing.
Well have some great kids classes starting up soon, said Rossini. The art of jujitsu is about joint locks and submission. Its about ground-fighting and knowing what to do on the ground. Judo is a way of getting a fight to the ground. Its great for learning throws and self-defense.